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Used Micron Extra last lime (18 months ago). This worked well for about 12 to 15 months, but suddenly has no power to repel growth. Most of the marinas seem to use and recommend Altex number 5. They all say Micron is more expensive, so maybe this is their reason for using the Altex #5. Micron Extra is on special at Whitworths and is currently cheaper than Altex. Boat is at Parsley bay (Brooklyn NSW). Thoughts anyone?

Tales is in the yard for antifoul at the moment.
The local diver is a friend of mine and he has been taking notes on the type of paint and how well it performs on the boats he scrubs.
He recomended Altex 5 or Micron 66 for our type of boats.
I got the Altex locally for $198/4l which I thought was pretty good.
Planning on putting 4 coats on the bare areas (rudder and waterline) and two on the rest.
Should get 2 years.
Cheers,
Tom

John (Killick)
I use Altex. I last antifouled in June 2011, 19 months ago. I gave the hull a rub over with a RAG a few weeks ago and it came up good. There is some shell on the waterline but that is easily attacked with a scraper. It is starting to get some of the flat orange cunge growth but that can be removed with a scraper easily too. It is due to be done now. I always put on 2 coats and i use about 6 litres.
The last coat was put on in great haste. A SW change of 50knots forced us to give it away before we could detail the coat so I didn't expect it would last very long at all.
Marmong Cove marina recommend Altex and they say that 90% of boats now use it.
The propellor is the thing that will foul quickly and needs constant attention. I've tried hard antifoul. Nothing works on it.
For what its worth.

I use one coat of Altec 5 but I haul out each year ( two coats on high wear surfaces). I have used Propspeed on the prop for 4 years now and provided you give it a wipe with a soft cloth from time to time the prop stays clean.

Cheers,
Mark
Storm Petrel

I use Altex number 5 (its the best value for the 'cheaper' antifouling) but I only give the boat one scrub between annual slipping. The Altex 5 ablates too much for my liking and I feel that its better to have a layer of slime than wiping all of the antifouling off and getting serious barnacles. After 12 months there is a decent layer of slime, but no real shell growth.

The Endeavour 26 I race on uses micron extra and gets scrubbed regularly. It stands up to being wiped much better.


On a side note, once the altex is gurneyed it is almost entirely washed off leaving minimal build up.

Jeremy

Interesingly can get Micron Extra for $200, but cheapest Altex #5 is $220. I will need to do some spot priming and have more than enough International primer. Apparently the Altex will be OK over the International primer. Any comments?

Hi Guys

I'm off to buy 5 litres of Hempel $149.90 save $40 .00 .I'll let you know how it goes in 18 months

Bear

Was that 13 years Bear?